Published in Real Clear Politics

By Margot Brandenburg & Stacy Mullinex

In “Employee Ownership: A Path to Upward Mobility,” authors Margot Brandenburg and Stacy Mullinex argue that employee ownership (EO) is a vital market-based solution to America’s widening wealth gap. By providing workers with equity and governance rights, EO models—most notably Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs)—transform employees into stakeholders who are literally and figuratively invested in their company’s success.

This op-ed explains that employee-owners enjoy significantly higher median household wealth, better wages, and superior benefits compared to non-EO workers. Beyond individual gains, EO firms demonstrate increased productivity, higher staff retention, and greater resilience during economic downturns like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read more in Real Clear Politics